Food, glorious food: the sublime passion of Elizabeth Jenkins for The Inn at Fossebridge and her business Mint – parties for the rich and famous.

Elizabeth Jenkins has a huge passion for food…but then if you are responsible for the kitchens and front of house at a renowned Gloucestershire inn, and have your own private dinner parties operation with diners like Mr Gucci, it needs to be a priority in your life.

Elizabeth – or Lizzie as she’s known to her friends – set out on the good food journey, 10 years ago at the age of 20. She went to the renowned Pru Leith cookery school, left with a distinction, and eventually cooked for Pru herself.

Initially she supported a friend’s dinner/lunch party business, then founded her own bespoke business, called Mint.

With both she has provided food to politicians and celebrities at their homes in London….and today cooks especially for four businesses when they entertain, and one private client. She undertakes special catering at The Tower of London.

The diner’s names are like a who’s who of people who hit the headlines every day..Ken Livingston, ex London mayor, cricketer Michael Atherton, Pru Leith, politicians from every national party.

Then dad – entrepreneur Robert Jenkins - bought the very rundown Inn at Fossebridge, near Cirencester, four years ago because of his love of Georgian buildings and set about creating one of the best “homes from home" he could, for guests from around the world.

Today it is highly success – from a first day take of £17 to a turnover during the past year in excess of £600,000.

Robert knew what he wanted to do from a restoration point of view – but he also had a huge desire to bring daughter Elizabeth into the business, to become his right hand as well as being responsible for the development of the kitchen and guest services as a whole.

Between them they have already achieved four star AA recognition, four rosettes from Quality in Tourism and hope in the year ahead to achieve the recognition that they offer some of the nicest, most creative, good value food in Gloucestershire. They have also signed up for Food Vision, the organisation lead by Cotswold Chef Rob Rees to demonstrate their total commitment to all aspects of food, from aiding further education of children to promoting hygiene and health and safety.

The inn has a brand new head chef, Damien Dupuis, 34, who trained as chef in France and specialises in fish dishes; Frenchman Damien was Sous Chef – his replacement is Adam 0`Reilly (26)..and Marcus Cole who has an extensive knowledge of meat and its various cuts has been added to the team.

Elizabeth said: "We are delighted; our former Head Chef, Laurent Guillery who has returned to his native France, did much to re-build our reputation, and we were very grateful for that. Now we are determined to take further steps forward in a desire to provide further evidence that we create excellent menus that truly are value for money".

She added; "Our view is that the harder the economy the harder we must work to demonstrate value, quality, service and a wonderful experience; we constantly strive to build our business as a place people like to come, a real home from home".

So how does such a dynamic young woman cope, basically running two businesses ?

"I love both; each is different, and it is true there can be huge high stress levels. Watch Masterchef and you’ll see why. What you provide has to be excellent; let your standards slip and people will not return, which, frankly is fair enough", she said.

While missing the many great friends she has in London, Liz today is making a second away from work life in the Cotswolds, with horse riding, long walks with her beloved dog Harry, yoga, and following the activities of her favourite chefs, Gary Rhodes "the crème de la crème of British chefs", and Jamie Oliver and his use of fresh products to achieve great dishes.

She likes Mr Gordon Ramsay too….but would love him to tone down his colourful words….the odd one maybe, but “his snowstorms of expletives is horrendous", she said.

Then, there’s her big love – skiing – plus tennis, listening to music from jazz to the classics and, only occasionally these days, dancing.

"Above all I love what I do; food is a passion so are The Inn and Mint, and allow me achieve goals that are not always available to people: for that I’m deeply grateful".

Ends

Note: All press inquiries please to Robin Thompson 07966 495908; email robin@pollybox.co.uk. Photographs of the property are also available from Robin Thompson.

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